Wednesday, February 13, 2008

A couple of weeks ago I watched "Jamie at Home” for the first time – it was an episode about potatoes. I love potatoes – who doesn’t? – and all the recipes were mouthwatering. Joao must have thought so too, because he asked me to make this chicken for lunch on the following day – and he is a beef guy. BEEF.

I didn’t have a pen at the moment to take notes, and I don’t really remember him giving exact ingredient amounts, so this is my version of his roast chicken tray bake with tomatoes and potatoes.

The food was really good and I like the idea of using fresh oregano – a nice herb change to a basil addict like me.

This is my entry for the Weekend Herb Blogging, this time hosted by Erin, from The Skinny Gourmet.

Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF.
In a large pan over medium-high heat, heat the 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil. Add the chicken, garlic, season with salt and pepper and cook until nicely browned.
Meanwhile, boil some water in a large saucepan and rapidly cook the potatoes – drain and set aside. If there are potatoes much bigger than others, cut in half.
Squeeze the lime juice over the chicken, mix well and remove from heat.
Place the handful of oregano leaves in a mortar or food processor – Jamie used his crazy shaker - and lightly smash/process. Add the olive oil, salt and pepper and smash/process again, until you get some delicious green oil.
Place the chicken, potatoes and tomatoes in a baking dish, drizzle with the green oil, add the oregano sprigs and mix.
Bake for 25-30 minutes and serve immediately.

I love oregano with potatoes almost as much as thyme with potatoes (my absolute favorite combination). In the summer, the oregano in my garden is quite strong, and it takes well to this type of "pesto" treatment. I'll be trying this recipe very soon!

Roasting the potatoes and tomatoes with the chicken sounds really tasty. All of the chicken drippings and tomato juice combining at the bottom. I have never user fresh oregano. I will have to look for some to try.

Do you know what? I sometimes think that NOT having the exact measurements it was makes this so delicious. I've recently grown quite fond of Jamie... (And it doesn't hurt that he's absolutely adorable, does it?!)

Patricia - thanks for posting this recipe. i just made enough for two (even though I was eating along) and scoffed the lot! i had to replace oregano for rosemary and lemon for lime but it was still excellent!